Man, Oh Manatee, a Marine Party

Florida

During the winter months, the rivers of Citrus County have the largest population of manatees. (This is the only county in Florida that permits snorkeling with the marine mammals.) The Florida Manatee Festival, Feb. 14 and 15 in Crystal River, celebrates the manatee migration with entertainment, an art show and food booths featuring seafood (but not you-know-what). Contact the Citrus County Tourist Development Council, 801 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, Crystal River, FL 34429; telephone (800) 587-6667.

Virginia

The 9th Maymont Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 19 to 22 at Richmond Center in Richmond, gets a jump on spring with 20 full-scale landscape exhibits bursting into bloom, including a croquet garden and flowering rain-forest cliff. A big draw is the lecture series on horticultural topics. Contact the Maymont Foundation, 1700 Hampton St., Richmond, VA 23220; tel. (804) 358-7166.

Georgia

Savannah is never short on historic appreciation, but it really comes together during the Georgia Heritage Celebration, Feb. 2 to 12. This year’s event commemorates the 265th anniversary of the founding of the Georgia colony at Savannah. Activities include lectures on local history, a parade through city streets and candlelight tours of Old Fort Jackson. Contact the Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker St., Savannah, GA 31499; tel. (912) 651-2125.

Louisiana

Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the state--not just crowded New Orleans--with parades staggered so that revelers can make a grand tour. Shreveport marches on the 14th, along with Houma. On the 21st, parades will be held in Bogolousa, Slidell, Lockport and Bayou Boulette. On the 22nd, head for Madisonville, LaPlace and Golden Meadow. On the 24th--Mardi Gras itself--the festivities are at LaCombe, Montegut, Thibodaux and Gheens. Contact the Louisiana Office of Tourism, P.O. Box 94291, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9291; tel. (504) 342-8119.

New York

The theme for this year’s Winter Carnival at Saranac Lake, Feb. 7 to 15, is Magical Moments. Events, which take place all around the area, include ski races, fireworks, an ice sculpture contest, snowshoe races, a parade, concerts and skating demonstrations. Contact the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, 30 Main St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983; tel. (800) 347-1992.

Rhode Island

The Newport Winter Festival was developed to draw thousands of visitors to the resort area in midwinter. This year, the 10th, has more than 125 events packed into 10 days. There are horse-drawn hay wagon rides, fireworks, a night-time kite fly, chili cook-off, progressive dinner, scavenger hunt and two kinds of sculpture contests (ice and sand). Contact the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 23 America’s Cup Ave., Newport, RI 02840; tel. (800) 326-6030.

Canada

Most of the Yukon’s 30,000 residents live in Whitehorse (population 25,000) and most of them join in the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, held this year Feb.17 to 22. There are dog-sled races, fiddling contest, can-can dancers and a parade. The beard-growing contest has already started with final judging at the Rendezvous. Accommodations in the Alaskan Highway town are plentiful, but reservations are suggested. Contact the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Assn., Box 5108, Whitehorse, Canada Y1A 4S3; tel. (403) 667-2148.

Events appears monthly.